FIA says new F1 superlicence system could be tweaked if needed

As part of a push to tighten up the qualifications needed for a mandatory F1 licence, the FIA has introduced a minimum age for drivers and imposed a requirement that they score at least 40 'licence points' in high profile junior categories.

But the way that points have been awarded has proved controversial - especially with a non-existent F2 championship being given the greatest value while series like Formula Renault 3.5 have been shuffled down the order.

The FIA says, however, that while it is important that stricter rules are laid down for drivers to be able to qualify for a superlicence, it must be flexible if the current structure does not prove suitable.

An FIA spokesman told AUTOSPORT: "We have defined a robust framework for the conditions of qualifications.

"With regards to the points system itself, it is effectively only natural that some adjustments may be done year-on-year."

French car manufacturer Renault has asked for talks with the FIA to clarify the decision-making process behind why its championships have not been awarded as highly as it believes they should.

The FIA's response to Renault's stance is that numerous factors - and not just the sporting aspects - have been taken in to account when deciding on the points.

"The criteria with which the points system has been defined are not only driven by the relative sporting performance of the various championships," added the spokesman.

"There are other considerations that we, as the rule maker, need to include as well.

"We are of course listening to Renault's feedback or any other party involved.

"And, as explained before, based on our experience with the new superlicence structure, we might in the future adjust the points system."

F2 DECISION EXPLAINED

Another of the controversial decisions in the superlicence points structure was that a future FIA F2 championship was given the highest seeding, with its champion given 60 points.

The FIA has explained that the reason it awarded F2 so much was motivated by its desire to create a more structured path to F1 for young drivers.

"The FIA's intention is to develop a clear streamlined ladder from the grassroots of motorsport to Formula 1," said the spokesman.

"The future FIA Formula 2 will form an important step in this process."